For the Love of Business

In 2018, Missouri's workplace fatality rate dropped while injuries increased. How will your business reduce the rate of accidents and potential fatalities in the workplace? Do you have a plan in place so that people know how to respond when an accident occurs? Here's a quick look at the process of developing a safety plan for your business. Size up the situation. As the first rule that is always taught in emergency management, it's important to start by understanding what's g

When you hire a new employee or have to let one go, do you have a dedicated process in place to make sure that everything is handled properly? If you don't have an entry process or exit process set up for your business, you may be exposing yourself to liability when certain things aren't handled properly. Fortunately, setting up an onboarding process and exit process isn't that difficult, consisting of simply a basic checklist to go through. Here's a quick look how to set up

When you're working on training new employees, do you already have an employee training program in place or are you still developing training protocols for your company? If you don't have training in place for your new employees, it's difficult to get them all on track and with full understanding of your company's goals, policies and procedures. Here's a look at how to develop an employee training program for your business. Why set up an employee training program for your com

When you're considering hiring for your business, you have a few different options available in many situations. You can hire a regular employee, with benefits, taxes and similar concerns, or you can go with a contract worker, who you are not directly responsible for. However, deciding which option is the best for your company is a hard decision to make. Here's some information on all your options to help you make an informed decision on your next hire. It's important to unde

The rising minimum wage trend continues to work its way across the United States, and the Illinois minimum wage may not escape this trend. A new bill being handed to Governor Pritzker will raise the state's minimum wage to a total of $15 per hour by 2025. But what's involved in the bill and how will it impact your company's bottom line? Here's a quick look at the bill to help get you started. Currently, the Illinois minimum wage sits at $8.25, which many feel does not provide

If you run a small business, the recent Missouri minimum wage hike may have you concerned. However, there are many small businesses which receive an exemption from minimum wage laws in Missouri. Is your company one of these that receives a Missouri minimum wage exemption? Here's a quick look at the new law that can help you decide where your company falls. When Proposition B passed in November, increasing the Missouri minimum wage by $0.85 annually for five years, most Missou

Compared to a decade ago, the economy is not only recovering, but going strong. However, a recent study of business supply managers in January suggests that despite a small decline in business confidence, there's strong Midwestern business growth ahead. Is your company prepared for growth? Here's a look at the study and what you can do to take advantage of the Midwestern business landscape. The study was overseen by Creighton University economist Ernie Goss, who noted that th

​Missouri already enjoys significantly lower fuel taxes than Illinois, but when outgoing Chicago Mayor Emanuel recommended a $.20 to $.30 per gallon increase in Illinois' fuel tax in December to fund a new state transportation bill, Illinois businesses stood up and took notice. If the measure were to pass, there could be as much as a $.50 per gallon difference in Missouri and Illinois fuel prices. How will that impact businesses on the border between the two states? Illinois